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NIH Public Access Policy: Cite with PMCID

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Cite with PMCID

The fourth step in complying with the NIH Public Access Policy is to appropriately cite applicable papers in NIH applications, proposals, and progress reports. This step provides NIH with the evidence that you are complying with the Policy.

There are two parts to this last step of the Policy.

1. Include the PubMed Central reference number (PMCID) at the end of citations.

For papers published more than 3 months before an application, proposal and report is submitted:
List the PubMed Central reference number (PMCID) at the end of the full journal citation for the paper in NIH applications, proposals and reports.  A PMCID is the only way to demonstrate compliance for these papers.

For papers in press, or published within 3 months of when an application, proposal or report is submitted:

  • When using Submission Method A or B, indicate “PMC Journal - In Process” or the PMCID at the end of the full citation.
  • When using Submission Method C or D, provide a valid NIH Manuscript Submission System reference number (NIHMSID) or PMCID at the end of the full citation. Note, NIH awardees are responsible for ensuring that all steps of the NIHMS submission process are complete within three months of publication.

2. Place the Literature Citations in the appropriate location.

The appropriate locations for literature citations vary depending on the application type.  See the Guide Notice NOT-OD-08-119 for details.

For questions and/or help citing appropriately, please don't hesitate to contact Kelli Hines or the reference department at the Harriet K & Philip Pumerantz Library.

Sample PMCID Citations

Below are examples of how applicable papers need to be cited in NIH applications, proposals, and progress reports.

Sala-Torra O, Gundacker HM, Stirewalt DL, Ladne PA, Pogosova-Agadjanyan EL, Slovak ML, Willman CL, Heimfeld S, Boldt DH, Radich JP. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression and outcome in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood. 2007 April 1; 109(7): 3080–3083. PMCID: PMC1852221

Cerrato A, Parisi M, Santa Anna S, Missirlis F, Guru S, Agarwal S, Sturgill D, Talbot T, Spiegel A, Collins F, Chandrasekharappa S, Marx S, Oliver B. Genetic interactions between Drosophila melanogaster menin and Jun/Fos. Dev Biol. 2006 Oct 1; 298(1): 59-70. PMCID: PMC2291284

Examples, before the PMCID is available:

For Submission Methods A and B, use “PMC Journal - In Process”:

Sala-Torra O, Gundacker HM, Stirewalt DL, Ladne PA, Pogosova-Agadjanyan EL, Slovak ML, Willman CL, Heimfeld S, Boldt DH, Radich JP. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression and outcome in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood. 2007 April 1; 109(7): 3080–3083. PMCID: PMC Journal - In Process

For Submission Methods C and D, use the NIHMSID:

Cerrato A, Parisi M, Santa Anna S, Missirlis F, Guru S, Agarwal S, Sturgill D, Talbot T, Spiegel A, Collins F, Chandrasekharappa S, Marx S, Oliver B. Genetic interactions between Drosophila melanogaster menin and Jun/Fos. Dev Biol. 2006 Oct 1; 298(1): 59-70. NIHMSID: NIHMS44135

Locating the PMCID

The PubMed Central identifier or reference number (PMCID) is different from the PubMed identifier or reference number (PMID). PubMed Central is an index of full-text papers, while PubMed is an index of paper abstracts. The PMCID links to full-text papers in PubMed Central, while the PMID links to abstracts in PubMed.

There are a number of ways to locate a PMCID.

When using PubMed@Pumerantz Library, you will find it if you are looking at the AbstractPlus display of an item. It will be in the lower-right hand corner of the record, below the abstract.

Another way to find a PMCID is by searching PubMed Central. Type in your keywords and click on "Find Articles."

Converting the PMID to a PMCID

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